The Name "What's In A Name?" Reviews The Name "What’s in a Name?" Review Melodic pop and even some retro sound included here in the Name’s debut LP yes debut some 20 years late Detour have done the biz again. "You’re Gonna Lose that Girl" maybe the follow up single classic mod/pop not outa place anywhere very harmonic vocals with that tint of 60’s beat. "Train" clashing guitars and thunderous drumming with that power-pop hint scattered throughout. "Out On My Own Again" pre 79 mod more 78 than 79 mod but maybe a song before it’s time certainly not trashy punk the Name are in control here and show just how good they could play and sing. "She Really Shook Me Tonight" see’s The Name in fast Rock n B mood a very catchy song. "You’re Gonna Lose That Girl" one of my faves and again potential single and probably a live fave back then love the lyrics and guitaring here classic stuff. "Misfits" again 79 mod beat at it’s best. "Love and The Army" fast mod beat again very Jolt sounding and hey what’s wrong with that excellent vocals and drumming. "Train" (2) a different and better version in my mind heavier guitaring and clearer vocals a good song. "Take Me Time" (To Forget Here) single material or b.side a must echoing power-pop. "I Can See Through You" different intro here strumming fast mod great vocals and a good catchy some what "The Looks "I Am The Beat" in places again not a bad path to follow. "F**K Art Let’s Dance" the single (proper version here) a classic nasty and at the time a brave move sadly reduced to Forget Art but still the Names best known and most notable song. "In The Crowd" (Live) haunting live version of the classic tune not disgraced here by The Name shows the flair and versatility of the band live. "In The Night Air" (Live) good live song . "All Dried Up" (Live) another haunting song drifts into some psych here excellent guitaring. "Take Me To The River" (Live) good song trashy mod guitar. "Misfits" (Live) excellent live version of the earlier song this is also one of my faves live or studio. "My Girl" (Live) good live version sounds like done in the Underground echo effect. "Out On My Own Again" great live version of the studio track another one that stands out on the LP. "Anyway.Anyhow,Anywhere" (Live) top cover version. "Club DJ Quatro" (Live) a man in vain trying to save his clubs name after a bout of violence sadly the club closes early that night he also finds time to plug forthcoming gigs by the Purple Hearts and the Jam great end to LP. All in all it tooks years to get out and it was Dizzy at Detour with the job again an excellent package which showed the Name definitely did have potential and where not really given the chance some songs OK not 100% mod but they always played with precision and power and had some great songs. A shame a proper LP and a couple of more singles didn’t surface back then but 20 years later better than never. The Name Interview Coming Real Soon. Review S.M.Emmerson (March 2003) Buy LP/CD at http://www.detour-records.co.uk/home.htm A Bit more about this release at http://www.detour-records.co.uk/drcd033.htm http://www.thename.tv/ Another review on The Name’s LP Another great effort by the Detour label, on their mission of preserving the '70/'80s mod revival scene.
Just like it was the case with most of the participating bands, The Name's sound was also inspired by The Jam's pop art-ish, Who-influenced arrangements which I can never get tired of. What made them so special was the addition of extra vocal harmonies, causing a constant balance between the retro modernisms and classic power-pop.
Weller's spiritual presence is clearly evident in the Jam-packed opener You're Gonna Lose That Girl, later "polished" by The Records' Huw Gower for an unreleased single (both versions are included) and in Train, where you'll also notice a bit of a Motown, as well as a guitar part that brings to mind The Beatles' Birthday.
Containing the line "... I see you walking down the street, true blue and British to your feet ...", it's no wonder that the early Who-sounding Misfits had become the band's unofficial anthem, and the Rubinoosed vocal harmonies take it to yet another level.
Another song of anthem-like proportions is the uncensored version of their only single release, Fuck (Forget) Art, Let's Dance ....... what a statement !!! ... it almost doesn't matter what's the song like, though it's another power-pop gem, just like Take Me Time (To Forget Her), which, funnily enough, brings back the guitar line from The Outsiders' classic Time Won't Let Me.
The second half of the album is made of various live performances, including a fine choice of covers like the 7 minutes rendition of Page's mod classic The In Crowd, a bit arty-farty take on Take Me To The River, the rough quality sounding Temptations' hit My Girl and the super charged-up Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, matching even The Who's own live energy.
Though it had never sounded like that until now, this collection proves that this band really was THE Name on the '80s mod scene.
GORAN OBRADOVIC
/ POPISM More Name soon interview with the band on-line soon. Thanks to Andy Bellwood
|
